How to upgrade from Windows 10 to Windows 11 for free in 2026

You can upgrade Windows 10 to Windows 11 using Windows Update, an ISO file, or the Windows 11 Installation Assistant.
The computer must meet Windows 11’s hardware requirements, including a supported processor, TPM 2.0, Secure Boot, and at least 64GB of storage.
The ISO method lets you perform an in-place upgrade while keeping your files and apps, or choose a clean installation instead.
Microsoft no longer supports using the Media Creation Tool for in-place upgrades.

You can upgrade from Windows 10 to Windows 11 using the official ISO file, Windows Update, or the Installation Assistant, as support for the older release ended on October 14, 2025.

Although Windows 11 is a free upgrade for existing devices running Windows 10, the hardware must meet the minimum requirements to continue with the installation process. In a nutshell, you need an Intel 8th Gen or newer, AMD Zen 2 or newer, or a Qualcomm 7 and 8 Series processor. This also requires TPM 2.0, Secure Boot, and at least 64GB of storage.

Microsoft supports multiple upgrade paths to the new version. If the computer meets the hardware requirements, Windows Update will notify you, or you’ll see a full-screen reminder when you sign in to your account. However, you can also use the Installation Assistant to perform an in-place upgrade. You can also download the ISO file to upgrade it using a USB flash drive. (The Media Creation Tool is only available to create a USB flash drive or ISO file. You can no longer use it to perform an in-place upgrade.)

In this guide, I will explain four ways to upgrade from Windows 10 to Windows 11 version 26H2, 25H2, 24H2, 23H2, 22H2, or 21H2 (the original).

Before proceeding with the upgrade
Upgrade to Windows 11 from 10 from Windows Update
Upgrade to Windows 11 from 10 from ISO file
Upgrade to Windows 11 from 10 from Installation Assistant

Important: If you plan to upgrade an existing system, it is also recommended that you create a backup before proceeding. You have been warned.

Before proceeding with the upgrade

Before proceeding, review this guide to learn what to do before installing Windows 11, as you may need to enable TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot and complete other tasks, such as converting the hard drive from MBR to GPT, to support the upgrade. You can also upgrade the system with a clean installation.

To determine if your computer can run Windows 11, follow these steps:

Open Start on Windows 11.
Search for PC Health Check and click the top result to open the app.
Click the Check now button.
Confirm whether your computer will run Windows 11.
(Optional) Click the “See all results” button to view a list of the components that passed compatibility.
(Optional) Click the “Device specifications” button to understand the system requirements better.

After you complete the steps, the tool will explain whether your computer is compatible and what actions you may need to take to proceed with the upgrade.

If the app isn’t available on your computer, you must get it manually from this Microsoft link.

If your computer doesn’t meet the hardware requirements, you can still install Windows 11 on unsupported hardware, or switch to an operating system like Linux Mint or ChromeOS Flex.

Upgrade to Windows 11 from 10 from Windows Update

To upgrade to Windows 11 from Windows 10 through the Windows Update settings, follow these steps:

Open Settings.
Click on Update & Security.
Click on Windows Update.
Click the “Check for updates” button.
Click the “Download and install” button.
Click the Restart now button to complete the upgrade.

After you complete the steps, Windows 11 will install on the computer.

Upgrade to Windows 11 from 10 from ISO file

To upgrade from Windows 10 to Windows 11 with an ISO file, use these steps:

Open the Microsoft Support website.
Select the Windows 11 option under the “Download Windows 11 Disk Image (ISO)” section.
Click the Download button.
Select the installation language.
Click the Confirm button.
Click the Download button to save the Windows 11 ISO file on the device.
Right-click the ISO file, select the Open with submenu, and choose the Windows Explorer option.
Click on the mounted drive from the left navigation pane.
Double-click the Setup file to begin the Windows 11 upgrade process.
(Optional) Click the “Change how Windows Setup downloads updates” option.
Select the “Not right now” option.
Click the Next button.
Click the Accept button to agree to the terms.
Click the Install button to upgrade while keeping your files and apps.

If you want to start fresh with a clean installation of Windows 11, click the “Change what to keep” option, select the “Nothing” option, click the “Next” button, and then click the “Install” button.

Once you complete the steps, the upgrade process will begin, and the computer will restart several times. After the installation, you won’t need to go through the out-of-box experience (OOBE) to finish the setup because most of your previous settings, apps, and files will migrate automatically.

Upgrade to Windows 11 from 10 from Installation Assistant

Alternatively, you can use the Installation Assistant to upgrade any version of Windows 10 to Windows 11, as the Media Creation Tool no longer supports in-place upgrades.

To upgrade to Windows 11 from Windows 10 with the Installation Assistant tool, follow these steps:

Open the Microsoft Support website.
Click the Download Now button under the “Windows 11 Installation Assistant” section.
Double-click the Windows11InstallationAssistant.exe file to launch the tool.
Click the “Accept and install” button.

After you complete the steps, the setup will continue upgrading your computer to the new operating system release.

Pureinfotech’s Take

I still prefer an in-place upgrade when moving between versions, especially on a computer that already has everything set up the way I want it. Starting over sounds clean, but reinstalling apps, restoring settings, and getting everything working again takes time.

For me, the useful part of this process is having more than one way to do the upgrade. If Windows Update doesn’t offer it, I can use the ISO or Installation Assistant instead. I also like having the option to keep my files and apps rather than turning an upgrade into a full reinstall.

I would still make a backup before touching the installation. Windows upgrades have become much more predictable over the years, but there’s little reason to gamble with files you can’t replace.

If your computer passes the compatibility check, I don’t see much reason to make the process harder than it needs to be. Choose the upgrade method that works for your situation and keep the clean install as a separate option when you actually want a fresh start.

Which method would you use to upgrade from Windows 10 to Windows 11? Let me know in the comments.

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